The Spice: 2/11 - 2/17

The Academy is a Mess

Over the summer, the Oscars tried to introduce a “popular” category. It failed. In the fall, Kevin Hart was scheduled to host the ceremony. Now, it’s host-less. Just last week, the Academy announced that it would hand out the awards for cinematography, film editing, live action short, and makeup and hairstyling during the commercial breaks. On Friday, this decision was reversed.

Open letters from high-profile talents, including George Clooney, criticized the move as reductive and insulting. While the Academy held its ground for several days, the pressure forced them to back down and promise to air all categories live. Apparently the board is confused, as the Academy’s members voted on the commercial break idea last August. Hopefully, this is the last disaster that plagues the ceremony before it airs on the 24th.

Kacey Musgraves to Present at the Oscars

Speaking of the Oscars, recent Album of the Year Grammy winner, Kacey Musgraves, has been tapped to present at the Oscars this year. It’s unclear which category she is set to present, but it’s safe to assume it would be one of the two music awards (best original song and best original score).

The other presenters at the Oscars are: Chris Evans, Brie Larson, Awkwafina, Daniel Craig, Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Jennifer Lopez, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Amandla Stenberg, Charlize Theron, Tessa Thompson, Constance Wu, Javier Bardem, Angela Bassett, Chadwick Boseman, Emilia Clarke, Laura Dern, Samuel L. Jackson, Stephan James, Keegan-Michael Key, KiKi Layne, James McAvoy, Melissa McCarthy, Jason Momoa and Sarah Paulson.

Chris Rock, Kenan Thompson, and Lorne Michaels are Teaming Up

Chris Rock has agreed to direct and executive produce the single-camera comedy pilot, Saving Kenan. The NBC pilot will star SNL star Kenan Thompson. Lorne Michaels is also slated to produce the pilot, making this one big ol’ SNL affair.

Saving Kenan is about a newly widowed father (Thompson) who is determined to be everything for his children, and at the same time, allow his father-in-law to become more involved in his children’s lives.

If the pilot gets picked up by NBC, Thompson will likely leave SNL.

Ken Jeong to Star in Comedy Pilot from Crazy Rich Asians Author

Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan has written a multi-camera comedy pilot from The Emperor of Malibu for CBS. Ken Jeong is set to appear as the lead.

Written by Kwan and David Sangalli, The Emperor of Malibu is about the son of a Chinese billionaire (Jeong) and his engagement to an American woman. The news shocks his family, pushing Jeong’s character to bring the whole family to Los Angeles to persuade his son to re-think the engagement.

The Lord of the Rings on Prime

Amazon Studios has committed to a multi-season Lord of the Rings series, which is believed to cost close to $250 million. Eager fans of Tolkien’s work were treated to several cryptic tweets about the highly anticipated show, including a map of the Lord of the Rings universe.

Much of the project is being kept under wraps, including its release date. Amazon Studios boss, Jennifer Salke, says there is “no timetable” for the series’ launch.

Kenny G is the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift

Every Valentine’s Day, I look forward to only one thing: Kanye’s Valentine’s Day gift to Kim.

This year, the rapper did not disappoint. Kim woke up to Kenny G playing the saxophone in her living room, surrounded by roses.

Two things: first, I was under the impression that Kenny G is irrelevant, but glad to know he is not! Second, and most importantly, from the way the roses are displayed, it seems like Kenny G was brought into the living room first, then the roses. This means he had to wait in position while the roses were being set up and while the roses were taken away. He was literally trapped in Kardashian-West’s living room.

So many questions, so little answers!

Stars are Not Like Us

On Friday, Hilary Duff posted a video on Instagram. At one point during the short clip, Duff pushes her nose against her phone, which shows a picture of her newborn baby, and sniffs it. The caption for the video reads, “Ever try to sniff your baby through the phone?? #desperate #needthosesmells #getmehome.”

If that wasn’t unrelatable enough, Duff’s boyfriend, Matthew Koma, commented on the video saying, “I put all your makeup and clothes on and she still won’t latch onto my nipple. Please come home. We’re starving.”

To which Duff responded with, “@matthewkoma our daughter doesn’t appreciate your milkless nipple. Please quit trying to jam it in her mouth. Be home soon. Luhhh u”

Although there is so much to say about this post and comments, I will only mention one thing: Koma drinks Duff’s breast milk.